Investigators contact Schock associates

Investigators from the Office of Congressional Ethics have begun reaching out to individuals in Rep. Aaron Schock’s political orbit, a possible first sign of an official investigation of the Illinois Republican.

OCE is seeking to speak to people who have worked for Schock or otherwise interacted with him, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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A spokesman for Schock did not respond to questions about whether the lawmaker has been contacted by — or is cooperating with — OCE. A spokesman for OCE also had no comment.

Schock has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks for a litany of issues regarding his spending of campaign and taxpayer dollars. POLITICO and the Chicago Sun-Times have documented sloppy accounting and lavish spending in Schock’s operations.

He has failed to disclose several trips abroad, had to repay a private pilot for flying him to a Chicago Bears game, reported the cost of a flight as a “software” purchase and did not report paying for a fundraiser held at a golf course. He also repaid the government $40,000 for redecorating his office in the fashion of the PBS drama “Downton Abbey.”

When asked during an interview last week in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, whether he broke the law or ethics rules, the congressman said, “I certainly hope not.” He said he could not definitively say so because he is “not an attorney.”

Schock also declined to directly address whether he has accepted improper gifts during his six years in Congress.

The 33-year-old congressman has hired Jones Day’s Don McGahn — a former member of the Federal Election Commission — and William McGinley, a top ethics lawyer.

It is unclear exactly what OCE is seeking, but it does not have subpoena power to compel testimony and cannot sanction Schock. But it can make a recommendation to the Ethics Committee, which has the ability to compel people to be interviewed.